Foot worn two-wheeled vehicle

ABSTRACT

A two-wheeled vehicle adapted to be worn on a person&#39;&#39;s feet in the standup position so that they can be maneuvered like snow skis on a slope. Each vehicle is comprised of a frame supporting a pair of wheels at opposite ends and shaped so that the user&#39;&#39;s feet are located close to ground level. Toe and heel clamp means support the user&#39;&#39;s boot in the position that affords maximum stability and contol and movable calf support means pivotally connected to the heel clamp means includes a movable brake means for engaging the rear wheel when the user alters his position. Both wheels have relatively large low pressure tires with wide tread and provide a shock absorbing affect and at least one wheel has a one-way clutch hub to enable the user to climb slopes without rolling back.

United States Patent 91 Peterson [4 Oct. 23, 1973 FOOT WORN TWO-WHEELEDVEHICLE [21] Appl. No.: 233,903

[52] US. Cl. 280/1 1.2, 280/1 1.23, 280/11.36 [51] Int. Cl. A63c 17/14[58] Field of Search 280/11.2, 11.23,

280/11.22,11.37,11.11,11.l9,11.1 R, 11.1 BT,11.21,11.25,11.36

278,004 9/1930 Italy 28011 1.23

. Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Assistant Examiner-Milton L. SmithAttorney-Roger W. Erickson [57] ABSTRACT A two-wheeled vehicle adaptedto be worn on a persons feet in the standup position so that they can bemaneuvered like snow'skis on a slope. Each vehicle is comprised of aframe supporting a pair of wheels at opposite ends and shaped so thatthe users feet are located close to ground level. Toe and heel clampmeans support the users boot in the position that affords maximumstability and contol and movable calf support means pivotally connectedto the heel clamp means includes a movable brake means for engaging therear wheel when the user alters his position. Both wheels haverelatively large low pressure tires with wide tread and provide a shockabsorbing affect and at least one wheel has a one-way clutch hub toenable the user to climb slopes without rolling back.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Patented Oct. 23, 1973 SSheets-Sheet 5 FIG 5FlG 6 F001 WORN TWO-WHEELED VEHICLE This inventionrelates to foot-wornvehicles which, when worn in pairs on a persons feet, enables the userto maneuver on slopes of dirt, grass, snow or other surfaces much in thesame manner as a person on conventional snow skis.

One general object of the present invention is to provide animprovedfoot-worn vehicle that will enable the user to attach one vehicle toeach foot and perform skilike maneuvers on slopes at relatively highspeed, if desired, and yet with a high degree of comfort, stability andsafety. Heretofore, foot-worn vehicles when used on slopes, particularlyon relatively rough, unpaved terrain were difficult to control both asto direction and speed. This was caused by the relatively large amountof violent vibrations which were produced and had to be absorbed by thewearers leg, a certain amount of imbalance and instability created bythe lack of proper positioning of the users feet with respect to thevehicles wheels; and lack of adequate and responsive braking means.

Accordingly, it is another object of my invention to provide foot-wornvehicles which will solve the aforesaid problems of stability andcontrol.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a foot-wornvehicle that is strong, durable and yet particularly well adapted forease and economy of manufacture.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a foot-wornvehicle with an articulated leg holding means that holds the users feetand legs firmly in a stability enhancing position relative to thevehicle while allowing him a considerable degree of movement tofacilitate maneuvering.

The aforesaid objectives are accomplished by a twowheeled foot-wornvehicle which generally comprises a frame or chassis with a centersection for supporting the users boot. Sloping upwardly from eachopposite end of this center frame section are a pair of members forminga fork, the ends of which support an axle for one wheel. At least one ofthe wheels has a hub which includes a one-way clutch that prevents anybackward rotation and thereby enables the user to walk" up a slopewithout rolling back. On each wheel is a fairly large air filled tirehaving a wide tread and preferably of the type that utilizes arelatively low air pressure (e.g. 3 to psi). Toe and clamp means areprovided for holding the users boot in place on the chassis centersection and at a slight angle with it. A pivotal calf support isconnected to the chassis near the heel clamp having a pivot axis whichis substantially aligned with the natural foot-ankle joint axis of thewearer so that movement between the wearers foot and calf can be normal.The calf support is adapted to be secured to the wearers leg just belowthe knee so as to support the leg firmly in the position relative to thevehicle chassis that affords maximum stability. The calf support alsocomprises structure forming a braking member which can engage the rearwheel of the vehicle when the user simply alters his position. Theelements of the vehicle structure are simple but uniquely combined in acooperative arrangement to provide unusual stability and control for theuser.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of one preferredembodiment thereof, presented in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. I is a view in perspective of a pair of vehicles according to myinvention showing the user in the normal stance for free running down aslope;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the vehicle as they appearwhen the user is applying brakes FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in sideelevation of my foot-worn vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vehicle shown in FIG. 3 with portions ofthe front wheel broken away to show its hub in detail;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of my vehicle; 7

FIG. 6 is a view in section of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a view taken along line 8-% of FIG. 5.

With reference to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a pair of two-wheelvehicles llti embodying the principles of the present invention as theyappear when worn by a person for amusement or sport activity by rollingdown a sloped ground surface. These vehicles, worn on the users feet areeasily maneuvered in much the same manner as conventional skis are onsnow slopes. The user maintains the vehicles parallel with his legs asclose together as possible and he can follow either a straight line pathor make turns and transverse from side to side when coming down a hill.Contrary to conventional skis, the vehicles are provided with means forbraking which is operable by the user by simply changing his position,as shown in FIG. 2.

In general, each vehicle 10 is comprised of a frame 12 having centralplatform 14 formed of a rigid material such as a suitable metal andhaving a length and width that are great enough to accommodate a goodsized boot that may be similar to but not necessarily identical with aconventional ski boot. Extending upwardly at an acute angle (e.g. l5-25)from the forward end of the central platform and from the opposite sidesthereof are a pair of forward fork members 116.

These fork members are also preferably made from a rigid metal and attheir outer ends 18 they are journalled to support an axle 20 for afront wheel 22 and its tire 24.

A similar pair of fork members 26 are fixed to the rear end of thecentral platform M and extend rearwardly and upwardly therefrom atsubstantially the same angle as the front fork members. These rear forkmembers are also journaled at their outer ends to support a rear axlefor a rear wheel 28 and its tire 30. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, theboat supporting platform 14 is considerably lower and closer to theground than the axes of the wheels.

The front and rear wheels 22 and 2% are fairly small in diameter, but inaccordance with my invention the tires 24 and 30 have a wide tread thatmay be I-% to two times greater than the width of the platform 14. Thesetires are preferably of the type that operate at relatively low pressure(e.g. less than 5 psi). Thus, the tires have a fairly large groundcontact area or foot print of the size of the vehicle to provide goodtraction and they are relatively soft so that they can readily absorbsmall shocks or vibrations during running when small groundirregularities and/or rocks are encountered. In order for the front andrear fork members to accommodate the large wide tires they are curvedoutwardly from their inner ends that are fixed to the central platform14.

On the central platform suitable binding means are provided as shown inFIGS. 4 7 for holding the users boot 32 firmly in position withoutallowing it to move. A toe binding means comprises an arcuate plate 34that is supported along one edge by a curved upright stop member 36extending between a pair of bosses 38, all of which are fixed to thecentral platform. A pair of bolts 40 extend through openings nearopposite ends of the plate and are threadedly secured in the bosses.When the welt of users boot is under the edge of the plate 34 with thefront edge of its sole against the stop member, the bolts can betightened to hold it firmly in place.

A heel binding means for the users boot comprises a transverse stopmember 42 fixed to the central platform having a substantiallysemi-circular curved portion 44 within which the boot heel can fit. Thisstop member may be strengthened and supported by a rearward transversemember 46 and a top plate 48 adapted to fit over the welt of the bootsole, all of which are welded together and fixed to the centralplatform. As shown in FIG. 5, the heel binding means, and moreparticularly its curved portion 44 on both vehicles are oriented ontheir respective central platforms so as to cause the users boots to toeoutwardly a slight amount from the longitudinal vehicle axis through thetwo wheels designated by the numeral 50. I have found that this providesa stability and control factor which enhances the safe maneuverabilityof my foot-worn vehicles.

Now, attached to the rear fork members 26 and to the rear end of thecentral platform on each vehicle are bracket means 52 for a combinedcalf-supporting and brake member 54. This bracket means has a pair ofsimilar portions connected to each rear fork member, each one of whichhas a forwardly projecting bearing member 56. Extending rearwardly andabove these bearing members are tapered bracket portions to which arejournaled a transverse cylindrical bar 57 that serves as a forwardposition stop.

The calf supporting member 54 for each vehicle is made of some suitablerigid material such as aluminum and comprises an open, substantiallysemi-circular cuff portion 58 and integral side portions 60 that extenddownwardly therefrom. A suitable pin 62 pivotally connects a lower endof each side portion with a bracket bearing member 56 and this pin islocated so that it will be substantially aligned with the axis of theusers foot and ankle joint. The cuff portion 58 has a strap 64 forsecuring it to the user's leg. As shown in FIG. 8, the side portions 60extending downwardly from it are bent slightly outwardly a few degreeswith respect to a centerline (61) that is perpendicular to the centralplatform. This places the cuff portion 58 and thus the users kneesoutwardly from the axial center line of the vehicles, thereby causingthe vehicle to tilt slightly towards each other as the user brings hisknees together. I have discovered that this further enhances thestability and controllability of the vehicles when worn, particularlywhen the user maintains his knees close together during downhill runs.

Attached to the cuff portion 58 and the downwardly extending legportions 60 of each calf supporting member by means of rearwardlyextending brackets 66 is a brake member 68 on each vehicle 10.Essentially, this brake member is a curved piece of rigid metal havingapproximately the same radius of curvature as the outside tire diameter.A lining 70 of a suitable brake material is preferably bonded to theconcave side of the brake member. At its bottom end, the brake memberhas curved integral hook portions 72 that are posi tioned to engage thetransverse bar 57 so as to limit the forward inclination of the user ashe is rolling down a slope (See FIG. 1).

As shown in the broken portion of FIG. 4, at least one of the wheels isprovided with a hub 72 having a clutch 74 that provides only forwardrotation of the wheel. Such non-reversible clutches are well known inthe art and therefore will not be described in detail here. The use ofsuch a one-way mechanism on the wheels enables the vehicle user to climbup a slope easily without rolling backward between forward steps.

In operation, my foot-worn vehicles are controlled on downhill slopesmuch like conventional snow skis. The vehicles are kept essentiallyparallel, and as they roll forward the relatively soft tires absorb theshock of minor bumps, ruts or small ground obstructions. Turns are madeby shifting the users weight and tilting the vehicles to one side or theother.

From the foregoing it should be apparent that the present inventioncomprises a foot worn vehicle capable of providing recreation much likeconventional skis on gentle or even relatively steep slopes with easeand safety. Moreover, the arrangement and construction of components issuch that my vehicles can be manufactured at relatively low cost andwill be long lasting and relatively free of expensive maintenance.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, manychanges in construction and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

I claim:

1. A vehicle adapted to be worn with a similar vehicle on a persons feetfor recreational use comprising:

a central platform;

frame means fixed to and extending upwardly at an angle from oppositeends of said platform; front and rear wheel means supported by the endsof said frame means so that their axes are above said platform, and atire on each said wheel means;

means on said central platform for securing the user's footwear; and

a combined calf supporting member and brake means comprising a pair ofelongated side members pivotally journalled at their lower ends tobearing means attached to said platform adapted to be substantiallyaligned with the wearers foot and ankle joint, a cuff portion fixed tothe upper ends of said side members, and an arcuate brake member fixedto said side members and said cuff portion and pivotal therewith withrespect to said platform to engage the rear tire by movement of theusers legs thereby enabling control of the vehicle on a downhill slope.

2. The vehicle as described in claim 1 including a transverse memberfixed to said bearing means and stop means on the lower end of saidarcuate brake member to engage said transverse member and limit theforward pivotal range of said calf supporting member.

3. The vehicle as described in claim 2 wherein said tranverse member isa fixed rod extending between said bearing means and said stop meanscomprises a hooked portion at the ends of said brake member.

4. A vehicle adapted to be worn on a persons foot for recreational usecomprising:

a central platform;

a pair of curved fork members fixed to opposite ends of said platformand extending upwardly therefrom at a small angle;

front and rear wheel means supported by the ends of said pairs of forkmembers, and a relatively large low pressure tire on each said wheelmeans;

means on said central platform for securing the users footwear includingtoe clamp means and heel clamp means on said central platform spacedinwardly from said toe clamp means with respect to a longitudinal axisperpendicular to the axes of rotation of the front and rear wheels,whereby the users feet are automatically toed outwardly when vehiclesare attached to both feet; and

a combined calf supporting member and brake means pivotally connected tosaid central platform, said brake means being engageable with said rearwheel by movement of the users legs thereby enabling control of thevehicle on a downhill slope.

5. A vehicle adapted to be worn on a persons foot for recreational usecomprising:

a central platform;

a pair of curved fork members fixed to opposite ends of said platformand extending upwardly therefrom at a small angle;

front and rear wheel means supported by the ends of said pairs of forkmembers, and a relatively large low pressure tire on each said wheelmeans;

means on said central platform for securing the users footwear; and

a combined calf supporting member and brake means pivotally connected tosaid central platform, said calf-supporting member comprising a curved,open cuff portion adapted to retain the rear portion of the users calfmuscle and a front strap member and downwardly extending leg portionsonsaid cuff portion pivotally attached to said central platform, saidleg portions being bent at a slight angle from their lower ends withrespect to a line perpendicular to the platform so that said cuffportion is not located directly above the platform, said brake meansbeing engageable with said rear wheel by movement of the users legsthereby enabling control of the vehicle on a downhill slope.

6. A vehicle adapted to be worn on a person's foot for recreational usecomprising:

a central platform;

a pair of curved fork members fixed to opposite ends of said platformand extending upwardly therefrom at a small angle;

front and rear wheel means supported by the ends of said pairs of forkmembers, and a relatively large low pressure tire on each said wheelmeans;

means on said central platform for securing the users footwear; and

a combined calf supporting member and brake means pivotally connected tosaid central platform, said brake means including a curved metallicmember having substantially the same outer diameter as said rear tireand a lining material bonded thereto, said metallic member being fixedto said calfsupporting member, said brake means being engageable withsaid rear wheel by movement of the users legs thereby enabling controlof the vehicle on a downhill slope.

1. A vehicle adapted to be worn with a similar vehicle on a person''sfeet for recreational use comprising: a central platform; frame meansfixed to and extending upwardly at an angle from opposite ends of saidplatform; front and rear wheel means supported by the ends of said framemeans so that their axes are above said platform, and a tire on eachsaid wheel means; means on said central platform for securing theuser''s footwear; and a combined calf supporting member and brake meanscomprising a pair of elongated side members pivotally journalled attheir lower ends to bearing means attached to said platform adapted tobe substantially aligned with the wearer''s foot and ankle joint, a cuffportion fixed to the upper ends of said side members, and an arcuatebrake member fixed to said side members and said cuff portion andpivotal therewith with respect to said platform to engage the rear tireby movement of the user''s legs thereby enabling control of the vehicleon a downhill slope.
 2. The vehicle as described in claim 1 including atransverse member fixed to said bearing means and stop means on thelower end of said arcuate brake member to engage said transverse memberand limit the forward pivotal range of said calf supporting member. 3.The vehicle as described in claim 2 wherein said tranverse member is afixed rod extending between said bearing means and said stop meanscomprises a hooked portion at the ends of said brake member.
 4. Avehicle adapted to be worn on a person''s foot for recreational usecomprising: a central platform; a pair of curved fork members fixed toopposite ends of said platform and extending upwardly therefrom at asmall angle; front and rear wheel means supported by the ends of saidpairs of fork members, and a relatively large low pressure tire on eachsaid wheel means; means on said central platform for securing theuser''s footwear including toe clamp means and heel clamp means on saidcentral platform spaced inwardly from said toe clamp means with respectto a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the axes of rotation of thefront and rear wheels, whereby the user''s feet are automatically toedoutwardly when vehicles are attached to both feet; and a combined calfsupporting member and brake means pivotallY connected to said centralplatform, said brake means being engageable with said rear wheel bymovement of the user''s legs thereby enabling control of the vehicle ona downhill slope.
 5. A vehicle adapted to be worn on a person''s footfor recreational use comprising: a central platform; a pair of curvedfork members fixed to opposite ends of said platform and extendingupwardly therefrom at a small angle; front and rear wheel meanssupported by the ends of said pairs of fork members, and a relativelylarge low pressure tire on each said wheel means; means on said centralplatform for securing the user''s footwear; and a combined calfsupporting member and brake means pivotally connected to said centralplatform, said calf-supporting member comprising a curved, open cuffportion adapted to retain the rear portion of the user''s calf muscleand a front strap member and downwardly extending leg portions on saidcuff portion pivotally attached to said central platform, said legportions being bent at a slight angle from their lower ends with respectto a line perpendicular to the platform so that said cuff portion is notlocated directly above the platform, said brake means being engageablewith said rear wheel by movement of the user''s legs thereby enablingcontrol of the vehicle on a downhill slope.
 6. A vehicle adapted to beworn on a person''s foot for recreational use comprising: a centralplatform; a pair of curved fork members fixed to opposite ends of saidplatform and extending upwardly therefrom at a small angle; front andrear wheel means supported by the ends of said pairs of fork members,and a relatively large low pressure tire on each said wheel means; meanson said central platform for securing the user''s footwear; and acombined calf supporting member and brake means pivotally connected tosaid central platform, said brake means including a curved metallicmember having substantially the same outer diameter as said rear tireand a lining material bonded thereto, said metallic member being fixedto said calf-supporting member, said brake means being engageable withsaid rear wheel by movement of the user''s legs thereby enabling controlof the vehicle on a downhill slope.